All-metal collapsible egg case



mm M, 1936., F. B. ELLIOTT ET AL ALL-METAL COLLAPSIBLE EGG CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 3, 1934 Home y 2&27583 Jan. M, 19% F. B. ELLIOTT ET AL ALL-METAL COLLAPSI BLE EGG CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil ed April 5, 1954 nveniom Zzzbfl E Z. Walla? Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PAENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to an egg case, the general object of the invention being to make the case completely of metal in such a manner that it can be collapsed and when in set-up condition will have considerable strength and the exterior parts being so formed that a plurality of the cases can be placed closely together.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view, with the cover removed.

Figure 4 is an end view.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing the parts fitting in the cover.

In these drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the sides of the case and the numeral 2 the ends thereof, each side and end being formed of sheet metal having its ends cut and rolled to form the hinge barrels 3, the barrels of the several members being so formed. that they will register with each other when the members are placed together so that hinge pins A can be passed through the barrels to hingedly connect the two ends to the two sides. Some of the barrels may be crimped to hold the pins in place, but I prefer to make two diagonal pins removable so that one side and an end can be detached from the other side and end to permit the four members to be placed close together. However, this is not absolutely necessary, and all four pins can be held permanently in the barrels.

The lower edges of each of the sides and ends are turned upwardly and inwardly to provide a channel 5, and these channels and the hinge barrels are located within the case, as shown, so as to leave the exterior parts smooth and free of projections. The bottom plate is shown at 5 and has its edges turned up into substantially U-shape in cross section so that these U-shaped portions will engage the channels to hold the bottom plate in engagement with the sides and ends. The corners of the bottom plate are cut away as shown at t in Figure 3 so as to pass by the barrels as the bottom plate is pressed downwardly between the sides and ends, when the said sides and ends are moved into the rectangular shape, shown in Figure 3.

Tongues 8 are formed in the central portion of each side plate I and a partition plate 9 has tongues l0 bent at right angles at its end edges for engaging the tongues 8 so as to hold the partition plate in the crate. The lower corners of this partition plate should be cut away so as to provide spaces for the inverted U-shaped parts i of the bottom plate 6.

As will be seen, the partition is vertically movable in the casing and in putting this partition in place, it is slid downwardly with its tongues it engaging the tongues B and as the lower edge and end edges of this partition contact the bottom and sides of the case, it will greatly strengthen the case and the interlocking tongues will prevent the sides of the case from bulging outwardly and the ends of the partition will prevent them from being pressed inwardly. Thus the partition holds the sides absolutely straight and as it engages the bottom and the cover, it will hold the bottom of the case in place and greatly strengthen the cover or lid so that other cases or other articles can be placed on the case without danger to the contents.

The cover is shown at I!) and is formed with a depending flange for fitting over the top portion of the sides and ends and by making two of the hinge pins removable, as before described, the two sides and two ends can be folded together and these parts, with the bottom, placed in the cover, as shown in Figure 6. The parts can be retained in the cover in any suitable way, such as by placing a flexible member around the parts. The flange of the cover should be deep enough to hold the parts of the case when the same is collapsed, and this flange also helps to strengthen the case when the same is in operative position with the contents therein and the cover or lid is in place.

An opening I l is formed in the central portion of the upper part of each end and the metal cut to form said opening is rolled upwardly, as shown at H, so that these rolled edges and the openings form hand holds. Each end flange of the cover is pressed outwardly, as at l2, to yieldingly fit over the rolled parts H, to frictionally hold the cover in place and when desired, a sealing wire it may be passed through the opening ll and'through small holes M formed in the cover flange and the ends of the crate, the ends of the wires being sealed together.

Slits I5 are formed in each end member to receive the corners of an address card l6.

Thus it will be seen that the case is of all-metal construction and can be easily set up or knocked down and has great strength and it can be used over and over again and is more weatherproof and durable than cases made of wood. The parts can be assembled and set up without the 'use of tools.

This case can be made of standard size so that the regular standard flaps and fillers can be used therewith.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

A case of the class described, comprising a pair of side members and a pair of end members, said members having tongues at their vertical edges rolled inwardly to provide hinge barrels, pins passing through the barrels for hingedly connecting the four members together, the pins at two diagonally opposite corners being removable whereby one side and end member can be separated from the other side and end member, each member having its lower edge bent inwardly into channel shape, a bottom member of slightly less length and width than the space formed by said side and end members, said bottom member having its edges bent into substantially inverted U-shape for interengagement with the channels, and the corners of said bottom member being cut away to clear the hinges, whereby said bottom member can be pushed downwardly through the space formed by the side and end members to engage the inverted U-shaped edges thereof with the channels of the side and end members, a top member having a depending flange of considerable width for fitting over the upper edges of the side and end members when the case is set up and said top member receiving the side and end members and the bottom when the case is 001- lapsed.

FERN B. ELLIOTT. EARL I. POLLARD. 

